Kylian Mbappe has decided to lower his contract with Paris Saint-Germain so that he can join Real Madrid on a free transfer next year.
It is at least the latest line in Spain, with Mbappe’s future as the constant source of speculation in recent months.
Real Madrid and Liverpool have both been strongly linked to a move for the 22-year-old, although the former’s financial problems have prevented them from being able to put together a significant bid.
Real will miss the signing of Mbappe this summer, but the leading Spanish publication Marca claims that they will not have to wait long to get their man. Their latest report describes Mbappe’s clear plan to sell his contract at PSG, and describes that nothing will stop him from pursuing his dream job.
The report adds that Mbappe has no interest in moving to Liverpool, which means that Jurgen Klopp will have to look elsewhere in his attempt to freshen up his front line. The Reds will probably not be too disappointed – Mbappe’s desire to move to Madrid has been documented for some time – but PSG will need to lick their wounds, having been convinced they could persuade him to ink fresh terms.
Kylian Mbappe intends to join Real / Marcio Machado / Getty Images
Plans had already been put in place to generate funds that would then be used to offer Mbappe a lucrative new deal. As many as nine players – including Mauro Icardi, Pablo Sarabia, Idrissa Gueye, Alphonse Areola and Leandro Paredes – are believed to have been placed on the chopping block, freeing up millions of euros in salaries and potential bonuses
In terms of revenue, PSG have done wonders in the transfer window and brought in a host of big stars who they hoped would further encourage Mbappe to stay. Georginio Wijnaldum, Sergio Ramos and Gianluigi Donnarumma have all come up with free transfers – yes, free transfers – and Neymar recently put pen-to-paper on a lucrative extension.
All of this may be in vain when it comes to Mbappe, and he may end up being the most high-profile – and probably most expensive – player ever to resign on Bosman’s free transfer decision, which was introduced as early as 1995.
